A costly deadline looms for many growers in the Midwest, as every
day of waiting for the weather to cooperate to plant corn and soybeans
reduces potential yields.

Illinois growers who plant corn or
soybeans near the end of June can expect a 50 percent reduction in crop
yield, according to a University of Illinois agriculture expert.

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The US Department of Agriculture reports that corn and soybean
growers in several Midwestern states are behind schedule on their
planting. A cooler and wetter-than-average spring has left Illinois and
Indiana furthest behind on planted corn and soybeans. Several other
states are lagging behind their normal planting schedules, but by a
lesser margin.

In Illinois, 95 percent of the corn is
planted and 88 percent has emerged, but less than half of that is
reported to be in good or excellent condition. Fully 14 percent of the
acres planted are in poor or very poor condition, with another 38
percent reported as "fair." Those acres in poor or very poor condition
may have to be replanted.

In Illinois, the corn was only seven inches high as of June 9, compared to an average 17 inches by this time in recent years.

"This has been a bad spring by most measures," said Illinois crop
sciences professor Emerson Nafziger. "We keep seeing forecasts that
look favorable and then that doesn't happen. The chance of having
above-average yields has diminished greatly."

Cool
temperatures and the third wettest January-April since 1895 in Illinois
have led to delays that are undercutting potential yields. Nafziger's
analysis of previous years' corn planting data in Illinois determined
that "we can expect 50 percent of the maximum yield when planting is
done around June 15 to 20."

Those growing soybeans in
southern Illinois may get 50 percent of their maximum yield if they
plant no later than June 25 to 30, he said.

Some growers — in southern Illinois especially — will have to replant as wet conditions have caused some seed to rot.

Despite
the poor conditions, Nafziger finds it encouraging that 95 percent of
Illinois corn acres have already been planted. While some acres will
have to be replanted, high temperatures should help boost the growth
rate of what has survived so far, he said.

Soybeans are
further behind. Only 66 percent of the soybean crop was in the ground
as of June 9 in Illinois, compared to an average 92 percent planted by
this time in recent years.

Most growers will not get the
yields they expected, but high prices for their crops — and crop
insurance — should see them through, Nafziger said.

"Even
with high costs, the yield needed to cover costs is relatively low when
corn is more than $6 a bushel," he said. "But we're looking at some
real disappointment at having so much income potential not realized
this year due to weather-related crop problems."